20.4.1 This survey examines the job search experience of unemployed persons, with particular focus on two key aspects - steps taken to find work, and barriers encountered in finding work. First conducted in 1976, the survey is conducted annually in July. Data from the survey are used in formulating policies in areas such as labour market assistance, and control and review mechanisms for unemployment benefit payments.

20.4.2 This section describes only those aspects of the methodology that are unique to this survey, and hence should be used in conjunction with the overview part of this chapter, which outlines the survey methodology used in supplementary surveys.

SURVEY OUTPUT

20.4.3 Data from the survey are published in Job Search Experience of Unemployed Persons, Australia (Cat. no. 6222.0). More detailed data are available on request.

20.4.4 The main population of interest is unemployed persons (excluding those who were stood down). Estimates are produced on an original basis only (i.e. not seasonally adjusted) and include:

Whether looking for full-time or part-time work, duration of current period of unemployment, active steps taken to find work, whether would move interstate if offered a suitable job, whether would move intrastate if offered a suitable job, number of offers of employment in past 12 months, difficulties finding work, number of spells of finding work in previous 12 months, and time spent looking for work in previous 12 months..

Unemployed persons who were employees in their last full-time job and ceased that job in the last two years

Duration of last full-time job, industry of last full-time job, occupation of last full-time job, and reason for ceasing last full-time job.

20.4.5 Data collected in the survey are compiled according to concepts and definitions outlined in Chapter 6(unemployment) and Chapter 15(socio-demographic information and industry).

SCOPE

20.4.6 The scope of this survey is restricted to persons aged 15 years and over. The standard scope restrictions for supplementary surveys outlined in the overview part of Chapter 20also apply to this survey.

COLLECTION METHODOLOGY

20.4.7 Personal interviews are used to collect information for the survey. Both face to face and telephone interviewing techniques are used.

DATA COMPARABILITY OVER TIME

20.4.8 In order to provide a high degree of consistency and comparability over time, changes to survey methods, survey concepts, data item definitions, frequency of collection, and analysis methods are made as infrequently as possible. Over the time the survey has been conducted there have been some changes to the scope and sample size. These changes mean that the standard errors for the survey differ over time. The effect on estimates of the change in scope is considered to have been small. Changes affecting the Labour Force Survey may also affect this survey. Such changes are outlined in Chapter 19and are not repeated here.

1976

Initial two surveys conducted in May and November - preliminary data published in Persons looking for work, Preliminary (Ref. no. 6.56) and final data in Persons looking for work (Ref. no. 6.60)..

Persons living in remote and sparsely settled areas excluded from scope..

1998

Change to government administration of jobseeking arrangements. The former CES was split, some responsibilities being moved to Centrelink and the privatised Job Network created, causing a slight discontinuity in some estimates..

2000

Reduction in survey content (this year only) - details of last full-time job not collected.

FURTHER INFORMATION

20.4.9 For further details contact the Assistant Director, Monthly and Multi-purpose Population Surveys Section, on Canberra (02) 6252 6660.